1200 Gifts on Mondays. . . and Counting

 In my Romans study we are talking about honoring God. One way I can honor my Creator is to esteem Him in my speech. Another way is to thank Him. Again, the process of choosing thanks changes things. It changes my heart, softening it, making it more receptive. It changes my attitude from one of complaint to one of humility and gratefulness.

I'm not so good at thinking deeply at night when it is finally quiet here. So my thanks pour out haphazardly and may sound trite. . . but because I know the value of the endeavor, I keep counting.

1201) Botanic Gardens. I just love, love, love botanic gardens. I could spend all day there (if I didn't have to supervise six or more very busy children!). Today was absolutely, perfectly amazing. The flowers. The trees. The water. The blue sky. The crunchy gravel paths. The quiet give of the pine needle pathways. The waxy persimmons and brilliantly hued flowers and exquisite butterflies and turtles basking in the sun. . .

1202) My exuberant children in the garden, exclaiming over everything, exploring.

1203) Big boys reading signs aloud. "Pea- Oh- Knee."

1204) Girl catching fish . . . and falling in. . . and making the fastest exit ever from the water.

1205) Three year old with wet pants, having a conversation with me in the restroom. I'm clearly exasperated and he asks, "Do you want a kiss?" No. "Do you want a hug?" he asks. No. "Do you want me to pray for you?" he asks. Yes! Good idea. He bows his head and clasps his hands together on the potty and starts in with, "Dear God, thank you for this day and for this food- oh, no, no, no. That's not what I mean. Dear God, thank you that Mommy didn't spank me. Amen."

1206) Monday is half price day- surprise!

1207) Delightful friend who went with us, got three of us in FREE, and was our tour guide through the garden. Amazing, godly woman who blessed us today.

1208) Mrs. Taylor warned the children that the persimmons weren't quite ripe yet and that they would be terribly sour and they shouldn't eat them. Of course, my children tried them anyway. "How was it, R (9)?" I asked, after I saw him furtively nibbling a fallen fruit. "Pretty good," he says, "except it makes my lips and my teeth and my tongue all stick together in a way."

1209) Norwex makeup removal cloth given to me by a friend. . . so wonderfully smooth and effective!

1210) The baby waving to people in the grocery store.

1211) Butternut squash growing outside the front door (from our TowerGarden).

1212) The Lawyer, working so hard over so many long hours. When I would have given up, he presses on to take care of us. He is amazingly loyal and hard working.

1213) The beauty of creation that I have been given eyes to behold, that points to the Creator's invisible qualities and divine nature. (Romans 1:20)